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2020 Toyota RAV4: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, most recently filed December 2023. Owners have filed 635 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Toyota RAV4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2020 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V865000 Filed Dec 20, 2023

OCS Sensors May Short Circuit

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
58.3% repairedof 999,901 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V865000
Listed for 2020 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V734000 Filed Nov 25, 2020

Steering Column Damage Affects Air Bag Performance

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
98.1% repairedof 161 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V734000
Listed for 2020 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V682000 Filed Nov 4, 2020

Fuel Pump May Fail

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
92.2% repairedof 1,525,742 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V682000
Listed for 2020 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V373000 Filed Jun 24, 2020

Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
Consequence
A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.
100% repairedof 46 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V373000
Listed for 2020 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V286000 Filed May 20, 2020

Front Lower Suspension Arms May Separate

Suspension · front · control arm · lower arm
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.
Consequence
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.
97.7% repairedof 9,502 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V286000
Listed for 2020 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V064000 Filed Feb 6, 2020

Engine may Leak Coolant

Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
Consequence
A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.
98.6% repairedof 44,191 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V064000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (635)

635 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

17involved a crash
5involved a fire
14injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 635.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2020 compares with other RAV4 years

Best and worst RAV4 years →
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 15.9%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2020 Toyota RAV4 suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 30 mpg combined

30
mpg combined
27
city
35
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,250
CO₂ tailpipe
296 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,177per year
$181per month
500gallons a year

Miles ÷ 30 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2020 Toyota RAV4 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30$2,250296
2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive28 / 35 / 30$2,250290
2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive27 / 34 / 30$2,250296
2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive27 / 33 / 29$2,300301
2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28$2,400315
2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 27$2,500321

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2020 RAV4 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All RAV4 years

Where to next

2020 Toyota RAV4 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 23V865000 (air bag), 20V734000 (air bag), 20V682000 (fuel pump), 20V373000 (steering), 20V286000 (suspension), 20V064000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2020 Toyota RAV4 problems?

Owners filed 635 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (180), Unknown or other (121), Electrical system (119) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2020 Toyota RAV4 get?

NHTSA rated the 2020 Toyota RAV4 suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2020 RAV4 compare with other years?

Among the 2016–2021 Toyota RAV4 model years at least five years old, the 2016 drew the fewest complaints (240) and the 2019 the most (879). The 2020 drew 635. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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